Physicians at Northwestern Memorial Offer Sun Safety Tips Just in Time for the Start of Summer

... As temperatures escalate so should awareness of how to play safel...CHICAGO June 24 -- With warmer weatherexten... Many people assume that applying sunscreen once in the morning issuf...Skin protection ...

As temperatures escalate, so should awareness of how to play safely in
the summer sun

CHICAGO, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With warmer weather,
extended daylight hours, and a host of outdoor activities to enjoy
everyday, the summer season beckons all comers to take advantage of more
time under the sun. With the official start of summer having launched,
experts at Northwestern Memorial Hospital warn against overexposure to the
sun, which can lead to heat-related illness.

"Many people assume that applying sunscreen once in the morning is
sufficient protection for the entire day," says Mary Martini, MD, Director
of the Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Clinic at Northwestern Memorial.
"Sunscreen slows the effects of UV rays, but does not totally block them
out. And, sunscreen's effectiveness breaks down with sweating and
swimming."

Skin protection

Dr. Martini recommends that sunscreen be reapplied every two to four
hours if outdoors for prolonged periods of time. As she explains,
ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a major, and often
underestimated, cause of skin damage. Sunburn is a common, and painful,
signal of overexposure to UV rays. In fact, over 90 percent of all skin
cancers, including tumorous growths such as basal cell carcinomas and
melanomas, are associated with UV radiation. Sunscreen is a powerful,
year-round safeguard against sun damage and is especially crucial during
summer when more skin is exposed.

Following are recommendations of guidelines that can help when choosing
and applying sunscreen:

-- Sunscreens with an SPF between 30 and 50 are suitable for children ages

6 months to 12 years.

-- When applying sunscreen, don't forget to cover the entire body,

including the ears, tops of the feet and along the scalp where the hair

is parted.

Keeping cool

Equally important to sunscreen is the prevention of heat exhaustion,
which can occur when body temperatures rise to dangerous levels due to
dehydration or overexertion in hot weather. One major culprit of heat
exhaustion is the lack of proper liquid intake. Sweat acts as the body's
natural cooling system. But sweating also means that the body is losing
essential fluids and salts or electrolytes. Replenishing the body with
water and/or sports drinks can help maintain that cooling system. Other
measures to avoid heat exhaustion include:

-- Limiting time spent outdoors if you aren't accustomed to the heat.

-- Wearing loose clothing.

-- Avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest time of the

day, which is typically between 11 Hidden List a.m. and 3

Hidden List p.m.

-- Refraining from intensive outdoor activity in high humidity, which can

hinder sweat from evaporating quickly and prevent the body from

releasing heat effectively.

Rahul Khare, MD, a Northwestern Memorial emergency department
physician, treats over 100 cases of heat exhaustion and other heat-related
illnesses every summer. He says symptoms of heat exhaustion can vary, but
generally include muscle cramping, aching pain, headaches, nausea,
weakness, intense thirst, feeling faint or dizzy, or an increased pulse
rate. Mild cases of heat exhaustion can typically be treated by applying
cool water to the skin, loosening clothing or resting in a cool, shaded
area. Seek medical attention if experiencing any confusion, disorientation
or loss of consciousness; chest or abdominal pain; continuous vomiting;
inability to drink fluids or a body temperature above 104 degrees
Fahrenheit. These symptoms can signal an advanced state of heat exhaustion.

While overheating can occur in any healthy individual, the elderly,
young children and people with certain medical conditions are at highest
risk for heat-related illnesses. For those most susceptible, hot
environments should be avoided whenever possible.

"So many people are eager to enjoy summer weather that they simply
underestimate the risks," Dr. Khare says. "It's important to not take the
hot weather for granted when enjoying summertime activities. But most of
all, it's important to take precautions that will keep you safe in the sun
and healthy during the summer season."

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is one of the country's premier academic
medical centers and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern Memorial and its
Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry have 897 beds
along with 1,424 affiliated physicians and 6,464 employees. Northwestern
Memorial is recognized for providing state-of-the-art patient care and
exemplary clinical and surgical advancements in the areas of cardiothoracic
and vascular care, gastroenterology, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology,
organ and bone marrow transplantation, and women's health.

Northwestern Memorial received the prestigious 2005 National Quality
Health Care Award and is listed in eight specialties in U.S. News & World
Report's 2007 rankings for "America's Best Hospitals." For seven years
running, Northwestern Memorial has been rated among the nation's "100 Best
Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and has been
chosen by Chicagoans for more than a decade as their "most preferred
hospital" according to the National Research Corporation's annual survey.
Northwestern Memorial carries the Magnet status designation in nursing, the
highest recognition possible for patient care and nursing excellence.

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